Gommateshvara Commemoration Volume

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi

Page 78

Inscriptions on Sallekhana at Sravanabelgola
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is another (No. 33-700) inscription where the name of the Muni is not clear; it states that he observed the vow of Sanyasana for 21 days and ended his life. The next inscription refers to Nägasena Muni, the disciple of Beabhasena, ended his life by the observance of the vow Sanyasana. He was renowned for his virtues, had conquered all his passions and was respected by the kings. He went to the heavenly abode.
Kongunivarma, who was the King of Ganga line, had numerous victories in different parts of the country. He built many temples at various places and holy pillars (Manasthambhas). He performed many acts of piety and thereafter relinquished his kingdom. He obsrved the vow for three days by worshipping at the holy feet of Ajitasena Bhattaraka at Bankapur and accomplished (Samadhi) (No. 59-974).
Devakirti Muni was a great poet, debator and orator. He defeated many devotees of other faiths. He was skilful in composition, had sound knowledge of grammer and possessed the ability to discuss other philosophies. He was a logician too. He was a saint of pure conduct, adorable penance and was the chief among the learned. He was the chief of the assembly of Jaina saints. He observed the vow and attained Nirvana on the appointed day (No. 63-1163 A.D.). There is another inscription (No. 64-1163) relating to Devakirti Pandita Deva erected by Hulla Raja who was the Chief minister, senior treasuerer and the Chief of the army.
An ascetic by name Aryadeva, the best of the teachers, and the propounders of the doctrine, observed the vow in Käyotsarga when he was about to make his happy journey to Heaven and abandoned his body. His concentration and selfrestraint could not be shaken even by inserting a blade of grass in his ear (No. 671129).
An ascetic by name Karmaprakirti was a thorough master of the Jaina. doctrines. He was renowned for his virtous deeds. He secured deliverance from the eight Karmas by observing the vow (No. 67-1129). Saint Maladhari who ist described as the lord of ascetics, was worthy of worship on earth. He had conquered all his passions and was being praised by the ascetics as being competent to give decisions of questions relating to the Agamas. He was virtuous and had love for all living beings. At the first stage of his life, he practised penances. He had become famous for his renunciation and meditation on the great attributes. He abandoned his perishable body by observing the vow. His illustrious disciple Ajitasena Panditadeva abandoned his body by Sallekhana which is extolled in the scriptures. He performed the last rights of his Guru Maladhari (No. 67-1129).
Vreabhanandi who was famous for his fasts was a very learned ascetic. He was distinguished for his austerities and meditation. With his clairvoyance, he saw that his death was near and adopted Sanyasana according to established rules on